Level 3-4 Classes
Level 3 Classes:
Students learn skills required for sailboat cruising. Applicants must show sufficient experience on their sailing resume application to be admitted, with 6 sails on level 2 boats 4 of which they were captain (signed out the boat) and paid their deposit for the class. Class begins with shore school in April, where students are presented with a set of real navigation problems that they must complete outside of class. Safety and emergency procedures, electronics (including GPS and VHF radio), and cruise planning are taught in shore school as well. In early spring, students have two hands-on maintenance days while they are on shore and a boat systems class at the dock. After launch, students have three or more full sailing days to learn boat handling, docking and anchoring on our 32’ cruising boat. If someone is not going onto Level 4 an overnight weekend sail to Canada will be arranged. Successful completion of Level 3 class results in members being eligible to time share our cruising boats locally and for overnights up or down the rivers or on Lake St. Clair – US or Canadian side. See the Sailing Boundaries Policy on the website for more details.
Sail to interesting ports in Lake Huron and the North Channel. Enter beautiful coves such as: Cover Portage Cove, Snug Harbor, Marianne cove, Browning Cove, Sturgeon Cove and the Benjamin Islands.
Learn advance navigation techniques and enhance your knowledge of GPS.
Do off shore sailing work
Advanced anchoring
Boat provisioning
Crew organization
Level 4 Classes:
This is ASI’s highest level of sailing. Upon completing Level 3, students who elect to participate in the week-long live aboard transfer cruise where our cruising boat is moved from Jefferson Beach Marina to Little Current on Manitoulin Island, may be rated at Level 4. This cruise requires students to apply all that they have learned to a real sailing adventure. The boats are staffed by an ASI instructor, but the students do everything to get them across Lake Huron and Georgian Bay to their summer home in the North Channel as well as visiting as many coves in the North Channel as time permits. Those who get rated Level 4 are required for their first Captain bid at the lottery to be a mentored week long time share of our 32’ cruising boat during the summer in the world’s most beautiful sailing country. Once these requirements are met, one is a full Level 4 member who may bid on a lottery week or two each year.
Please fill in the form and the ASI Sail Secretary will contact you with more information about the registration and payment details.
Maintenance Workshop
Level 1 Maintenance Workshop
is offered at Kent Lake at Kensington Metropark on the 1st and 3rd Saturday mornings, all summer, from 9 AM to 1 PM. Level 1 Maintenance at Stony Creek Lake at Stony Creek Metropark is scheduled one Saturday per month or on an as needed basis. This class must be completed before final L1 written test is taken. Our e-zine, the Burgee, and members calendar has class details. Students receive the Burgee free upon membership.
Capsize recovery Workshop
Level 1 Capsize Recovery Workshop
is offered at Kent Lake at Kensington Metropark.
Docking Workshop
Level 1 Docking Workshop
is offered at Kent Lake at Kensington Metropark.
Dock Master Workshops
All members including Students can Dockmaster.This is a great way to earn volunteer hours, help your sail mates, and learn about docking by watching situations others get in and out of. We have added a Dockmaster lesson to the shore classes and the docking workshop. You may also ask to come shadow an experienced Dockmaster.
Sail with us at Stony Creek Lake at Stony Creek Metropark in Shelby Twp. MI or at Kent Lake at Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan.
Practice sails
As a Student Sail Pass holder (unrated), you can take practice sails with our rated sailors (Mentors and/or Water Instructors) as often as you want.
Tests (written and water)
You can take the Level 1 tests when you feel ready.
Unlimited use of Interlake boats
After qualifying, you can take the L1 boats out as the skipper as often as you like, consistent with some common-sense rules, of course. For example, ASI does not allow single-handed sailing. You’ll learn more about this in the classes.
Becoming a Rated Sailor
Unrated members have two years to get the Level 1 rating but getting the Level 1 rating can be easily accomplished after your classes in the same year. The program was designed that way. If for any reason you are unable to complete your rating in two years, just sign up for the class again. If you believe you have a situation that needs review, we offer a process for that thru our Operations Team, just let us know.
Dock Master duties
All members, including Students, are encouraged to be Dock Master. It's a great learning experience. You can now ask to do this with a Mentor! And the hours count as part of your total required volunteer hours.
